Achaeus (son of Seleucus I Nicator)
Achaeus (Greek Ἀχαιός ) was a Greek nobleman in the Seleucid Empire in the 3rd century BC. In distinction to his grandson of the same name, he is often called " Achaeus the Elder ".
Achaeus is known by a stele inscription (now Denizli) was excavated in Laodicea on the Lycus and the month Pertitos of the year 45 according to the Seleucid era ( January 267 BC ) dates. The inscription documents the ceremony of Achaeus, as the " lord of the place " ( τοῦ κυρíωι τóπου; kyrios tou Topou ) is referred to, by the establishment in the sanctuaries of Zeus in Neoteichos and Apollo in Kiddios ( Kiddioukome ) depending on a stele. The inhabitants of both cities he had previously ransomed from captivity of the Galatians, which is why him as their "savior " ( Σωτήρ; Soter ) commended.
The 267 BC Sir Achaeus is regarded as the father of four siblings:
- Alexandros, Seleucid satrap in Sardis
- Andromachus, father of Achaeus the Younger
- Antiochis, wife of Attalos and mother of Attalus I of Pergamum
- Laodice I., wife of Antiochus II
Family
Karl Julius Beloch reckoned Achaeus the older the dynasty founder Seleucus I as a younger son, which his descendants would represent a side branch of the Seleucids. Supported this hypothesis to the naming of his daughters, were both designated with traditional Seleucid names according to their great-grandparents ( Antiochus, Laodice ). Achaeus would therefore have the latest after the Battle of Kurupedion 281 BC may have received from his father or his brother, a principality of his own to Laodicea on the Lycus as a subordinate vassal. Younger considerations, see Grainger, however, doubt this filiation and refer to the complete absence of their mention in Polybius and Eusebius of Caesarea. They consider it impossible that such a prominent relationship would have been ignored in the otherwise so exactly writing authors. The contemporary inscription from Denizli know of no Brotherhood of Achaeus to King Antiochus I, who had recently been defeated yet the Galatians in the famous elephant battle.
Considering a in the time of Seleucus I made city foundation called Achaia in the Central Asian province of Aria persists the view Achaeus might have been a close confidant I. or officer of Seleucus, who during his campaign in the East 308-302 BC had earned the gratitude. Besides your own city's founding in the east and the land grant in Anatolia he might have been favored by marriage with a daughter of the king, which explains the entry of the Seleucid woman's name in his family.
The Achaeus of the family: